Mobile App Development Process In Singapore: Guide to 6 Steps

Businesses need a detailed and structured mobile app development process because their project may take months to complete and involves many factors. Without a good vision in the beginning, we might lose our way halfway through and fail at last. And also, the industry is very active right now in Singapore. The global mobile application market is expected to reach $935 billion by 2025. Therefore, you must invest more in the mobile application development process in order to differentiate yourself.

But don’t worry! Today, TechTIQ Solutions covers the six core stages in the process. Each serves a purpose and contributes to the final success. So, follow our lead to explore!

Key Takeaways:

• A general mobile application development process has six steps, from ideation to maintenance.
• A good plan starts with detailed market research and strategic planning, which is important in a competitive market like Singapore.
• Design is the stage where your application starts coming alive, giving you a perception of how it is going to look and feel.
• Testing and maintenance in the application development process ensure the app is in good condition.

What Is The Mobile App Development Process?

The mobile app development process is a multi-stage cycle that covers everything you need to build an app for mobile devices.

Generally, the process to develop an app acts as a structured workflow from idea to launch. Once your app goes live, you also have to perform maintenance tasks. Since there are many stages of app development, you need to stick to the plan. A good strategy then helps you reduce risks and improve quality.

6 Key Steps of Mobile App Development Process

Nowadays, people prefer to use mobile phones because they can do so anytime and anywhere. On average, mobile users spend about 4 hours a day on their phones. That’s why the business world finds much potential in the mobile app market. Building an enjoyable app for your end users means paying attention to all aspects of its development. The project is different from project to project because each business has its own goal.

What are the stages of app development? Generally, we can break the process into six stages as follows.

Step 1 – Discovery & Strategy Development

You should set the foundation for the project ahead. This discovery stage for your mobile app development step-by-step process is about clarifying your business goals, user needs, and market gaps. Right here, you research to analyze your audience and set directions for your strategy.

Identify Business Objectives

Your mobile application product development project aims to serve user needs. Thus, you have to define the problem it will solve. Also, identify who will use it. Then, set the success metrics to measure how well your app performs.

Target Audience & User Needs

In business mobile app development, you need to identify the target audience. More specifically, you create user personas and explore their pain points. Research also reveals user expectations. This stage ensures your app delivers value.

Market & Competitor Research

Next, focus on benchmarking. You can look at the top competitors and compare their features. Once you’ve spotted the gaps they missed, you can shape a smarter app development strategy.

Choose App Type & Platform

Other important things in mobile application product development are the app type and platform. What is a mobile application platform? It’s where your app works. Developing an app for Android is different from working with iOS. You can choose between native, hybrid, and cross-platform options. Native apps are best for speed and performance. Hybrid apps combine web tech and mobile access. Meanwhile, cross-platform apps are great for multiple devices.

Monetization Model Options

When it comes to mobile app design and development, think about how your app earns money. For example, you can use subscriptions like Spotify or ads like many free games. Some apps have free basic features, but upgrades cost money, like Duolingo, which is very popular in Singapore. The monetization model is essential for every mobile app development planning guide. Choosing the right model early helps you plan the features that support your revenue goals.

Step 2 – Analysis & Planning

Step 1 forms your idea. Now, you turn it into a structured plan. Right here, you work with your app requirements, architecture planning, and estimation. The smooth mobile app development process flow can then help you execute your project correctly. The outcomes also become predictable.

Functional & Non-Functional Requirements

In the app development planning guide, functional requirements explain what the app must do. In this manner, you work on its features and functions. Meanwhile, non-functional requirements are about how well the app works. For example, you can focus on its speed, usability, and security. Both deserve your attention because they affect your app’s quality and user experience. Functional requirements ensure your app can really solve the problem, while non-functional ones keep it smooth and secure.

Technology Stack

Define the technology stack in your mobile app development workflow. The stack covers all the tools used to build the app. So, you need to define front-end, back-end, and frameworks. The tech choice is important since it affects how your app grows and handles users. A good tech stack also ensures the app can stay reliable over time.

Product Roadmap

A development application mobile roadmap shows the big picture. It outlines key milestones, planned features, and release phases. You can also see what to prioritize when building the app.

Estimation

Next in the app development stages is estimation. You estimate the development cost, timeline, and scope. To do that, you consider the app’s complexity and number of features. The more features, the more time and resources. They all affect the budget and deadlines of your project.

Project Methodology

Many businesses follow Agile methodologies when handling their application development steps. Agile lets you iterate fast and work together as a team. In this manner, you break your project into small parts. Once each part of the mobile app is done, you receive feedback and refine it later. Thus, it encourages you to improve the product continuously while working smoothly with your teammates. With Agile and Scrum, your team can adjust more quickly and continue to keep your app in step with sharp business goals.

Step 3 – UI/UX Design

According to Forrester Research, 80% of users prefer apps with personalized experiences. Thus, it is obvious that businesses need to invest more in the UI/UX design. In the mobile app design and development process, an intuitive design is a must. Add smooth flows and ensure visual consistency, too.

Information Architecture & User Flows

Information architecture (IA) organizes app content so users can find what they need easily. User flows in mobile design and development map how they move through the app to complete tasks. Together, they ensure smooth in-app interactions.

Wireframes

Wireframes in application design and development show the app’s layout and structure without design elements. They help you visualize where content, buttons, and features appear. This way, you can plan the user experience before full design begins.

Visual Style & Design System

Which style does your app follow? The visual style defines its look and feel. In app design and development, you work with branding, colors, and typography. UI guidelines play an important role as well. As you stick to a consistent design system, your app can strengthen brand identity.

High-Fidelity Mockups

Once you’ve built a wireframe, you can develop high-fidelity mockups. The polished screens show the app’s real interface design. In mobile phone application development, this step is vital since it gives a clear picture of the final app before development starts.

Interactive Prototypes

Interactive prototypes are clickable versions of the app. The prototypes in app design and development allow you to test flows and features early. Then, you can gather feedback and validate usability.

Step 4 – Mobile Application Development

Everything you have done before is to make way for the core stage of your mobile application development process: the actual development! In this stage, mobile app designers and engineers come together. They will turn the approved designs into a real product. The development cycles include frontend and backend. You also work with API integrations.

Backend Development

How to create a phone application? In mobile application development, the backend includes database logic and servers. You also need APIs to connect the data, features, and functionality. So it’s about the work behind the scenes. Users don’t see it, but you need it to keep your app functional.

Frontend Development

The frontend of mobile phone app development is the part that users interact with directly. For example, it involves user interfaces and visual elements. Animations and layouts are important factors as well.

API Integration

API integration in the mobile application development process means you connect the frontend screens you create to the backend data and third-party services. Once linked up, your app can do things such as payment processing and real-time updates.

DevOps & CI/CD Pipelines

DevOps and CI/CD pipelines streamline and automate key parts of creating a mobile application. They also handle deployment workflows. At the same time, you can use the pipelines for code quality assurance, including automated tests and code checks to improve code quality and catch issues early.

Step 5 – Testing & Quality Assurance

Every business needs a powerful app for its target audience. To achieve this goal, include quality assurance in the mobile apps development process. Testing should overlap development.

Functional Testing

Functional testing in mobile solutions development means you check all app features. You also run user acceptance tests to ensure the app works as expected for real users before launch.

Performance & Load Testing

Performance testing in the process of mobile app development determines how well your app can react. It should remain stable under different workloads. Meanwhile, load testing checks its behavior when multiple people use it at the same time. Response time checks guarantee that your app stays fast and stable for a smoother experience.

Security Testing

Your app must be safe for users. Thus, mobile app software development involves security testing. You check data protection and authentication. Conduct scans for vulnerabilities, too. Then, you can prevent breaches and protect user data.

Usability Testing

Usability testing in the development of mobile applications checks how easily people can use the app. User scenarios and friction analysis are key here. In addition, you need to work on design refinement so your app feels smoother and more intuitive.

Device & Platform Compatibility

You don’t know which device your audiences use. Thus, run your app on different mobile devices. Make it work on multiple screen sizes and operating systems as well. And when the tests are over, your app can still feel friendly and familiar to everyone, no matter how they choose to use it.

Bug Fixes & Iteration

We have mentioned the Agile mobile app development process before. Based on this concept, bug fixes and iterations happen constantly. It means that you review issues and solve the problems continuously. This ongoing cycle ensures the app is ready for launch.

Step 6 – Deployment, Launch & Maintenance

Now, your app is ready to go live. It will enter long-term improvement cycles. In the end to end mobile app development process, this stage includes many tasks, such as app submission, monitoring, and continuous updates.

App Store Deployment

App store deployment in the enterprise mobile app development process means you prepare your app for submission requirements, such as formats and screenshots. In this launch prep step, you also need to understand approval timelines.

App Store Optimization (ASO)

ASO makes your app visible to users so that they know and install it. This smartphone app development step handles metadata like the app name and keywords. Screenshots and descriptions can also make it more recognizable.

Localization & Multi-Market Readiness

Localization is one of the most important steps in developing an app. It means you’re localizing your apps to users in various locales, languages, and cultures. This task is about translating the texts and adjusting visuals. Your app should feel natural everywhere.

Performance Monitoring

Your app is now accessible to everyone, but IT app development doesn’t end. After launch, you need to track how well your app runs. You can use crash analytics and tracking tools to spot issues. Post-launch evaluation improves your app over time. As a result, it always offers a smooth user experience.

Continuous Updates & Maintenance

Continuous updates are also phases of mobile app development. You need to keep the product functional and powerful. The tasks include bug patches and feature releases. Long-term app evolution ensures it meets user needs and market changes.

Feature Enhancements

Iterative improvements should be key to the development of an app. You need roadmap-driven updates based on user feedback. It’s the best way to keep your app aligned with changing needs and user expectations.

Key Considerations Before Starting the Application Development in Singapore

So the steps in the mobile app development process are clear. But it’s not enough! Each business has its own requirements. Thus, you need to evaluate strategic and technical aspects. Check your resources, too. Consider the factors below before starting so you can refine your plan.

1. Business Justification & Product-Market Fit

In the development of mobile applications, businesses should check if the app really solves a user problem. At the same time, it should meet business goals. So, make sure your app offers something competitors don’t. A mobile phone application developer in Singapore relies on market research from both domestic and global sources. This way, you can avoid wasted effort and your app has a real chance to succeed. Make it clear from the start to set the stage for a strong product.

2. Enterprise vs. Consumer App Requirements

How to build an app? The type of app matters right from the start. Requirements differ for enterprise and consumer apps. Enterprise apps need advanced integrations and user-role systems. You also need to work on compliance and data governance. Meanwhile, consumer apps focus more on engagement. You put more effort into its UI/UX and scalability.

A strong mobile app development team considers those differences carefully. Once they’ve got the application development requirements, they know how to shape their app’s architecture and how to approach it.

3. In-House vs. Outsourced Development Teams

As you engage in app development for mobile devices, you have two choices for your team: in-house and outsourcing. In-house teams offer more control, but you don’t have a lot of choices in terms of skills. The cost can be higher, too, because you have to deal with hiring, training, and management tasks. On the other hand, outsourced teams come with more experience and extensive skills. Their experience also ensures faster delivery and fewer risks.

Should You Start the Mobile App Development Process Now?

Before starting the mobile app development process, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is there a clear market opportunity in Singapore for your app?
• Do you have the necessary internal resources?
• Is the timing right to launch the app?
• Does your budget support application development for mobile devices?

If you have validated ideas and clear goals for mobile application development, get started! Act quickly to avoid missing the opportunities.

Conclusion

The mobile app development process generally has six steps. It’s such a long journey that requires a detailed plan. You also need to adjust the process to match your business goals. Your team’s skills affect your success, too.

Not confident to start? No worries! TechTIQ Solutions is always ready to help you thrive in a dynamic market like Singapore. We have over 13 years of experience in offering professional mobile application development services in Singapore. Our experts promise outstanding skills and effective communication. We carry out mobile app development phases with extra care. Contact us now to kickstart your journey!

FAQs

How long does it take to build a mobile app?

Creating a mobile application can take 2 to 12 months or more. A simple app with basic features is quicker to build, around 2 to 4 months. Meanwhile, the one with complex requirements requires more time and resources, making the process longer.

How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?

A mobile phone application may cost $5,000 to $350,000. The gap is significant because each project has different goals and needs, making the mobile app development steps different. The more features and integrations it needs, the more expensive it is.

What are the key steps in the mobile app development process?

The key phases of app development include:

• Step 1: Discovery & Strategy Development
• Step 2: Analysis & Planning
• Step 3: UI/UX Design
• Step 4: Mobile Application Development
• Step 5: Testing & Quality Assurance
• Step 6: Deployment, Launch & Maintenance

Should I choose native or cross-platform development for my app?

It depends on what you want. Native mobile app development design gives your app superior performance and full access to device features. Cross-platform development, on the other hand, doesn’t offer that impressive performance, but it’s cheaper and faster. You can also reach more audiences.

How do I validate my app idea before starting development?

One of the first mobile app development process steps is research. You study the market, target audience, and competitors to make sure your app can really work for a certain purpose. Another good way to validate your idea is to build an MVP. This early product version tests if users like your app.

What are the biggest mistakes to avoid during the mobile app development process?

Some mistakes to watch out for in the development of apps are:

• No market research
• Poor UX/UI design
• Skipping thorough testing
• Ignoring user feedback
• Neglecting security
• Lack of scalability

How to develop mobile apps for Android?

Android mobile apps development is about creating apps that run on Android operating systems. You need to install Android Studio and use coding languages like Kotlin or Java. The mobile development life cycle of Android starts with research, then design and development. Remember to test the app thoroughly and maintain it after it goes live on the Google Play Store.

What is mobile app development?

The development of a mobile application is the process of making apps for mobile devices. Mostly, you work with Android and iOS operating systems. Users can then install your app on their mobile devices.